Daily Devotional for January 5, 2016

Proverbs 1:7-9
How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!

Only fools refuse to be taught. Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honors.
 
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I’m sitting at my mother’s house…the home she has occupied for 56+ years – since I was 2 years of age.  She is lying in a hospital bed in front of the fireplace, where her family can gather around her and try to meet her every need until Jesus has her heavenly home ready. 

I have been reading comments to my mother that have been posted on Facebook and sent via e-mail.  The accolades are each precious.  But over and again, words are repeated from comment to comment…”walking testament to God's love and grace…never have I met such a gentle, caring, intelligent, talented lady…what a super woman! If only we all could be more like her this would be a better world.”

Like all mothers, mine taught me lots of things.  But the most important thing she instilled in me was a love of Jesus…and unending faith.  She lived these…she demonstrated them.  One of her fellow teacher friends commented about a time all of the teachers got tickled at a lady falling asleep at a workshop and could NOT stop giggling…”even with your mom giving us the EYE!”  I know that “eye!”  My mother has always had a strong sense of right and wrong…and she made sure we knew the difference!

I have neither the time nor the energy to write all I could about my mother. But people have sent me so many dear, sweet comments about how I have a lot of her finest qualities.  And I am humbled.  Indeed, what I have learned from her has gained me many honors…and I am truly blessed to have such a Godly mother. 

Nothing could be better in my book than to be known as a woman who loved and revered the LORD…who cared for others and shared God’s love and promise with them, as my own mother has done for so many.  She has taught me well, and I will be forever grateful. 

This has been a truly unbelievable time for us.  I posted on Facebook yesterday that…“as we have seen this last 2½ weeks, life is short and precious...and none of us know how much longer we have on this earth.”  Treasure those who are dear to you…listen and learn from those who are faithful servants…and trust and reverence the LORD.  As my mother has taught me so well…God will never desert you, especially in the most troubling of times.

©2016 Debbie Robus